So Many Cars, So Much Fun

On the Road — March 2002.

This is one of those issues that we love putting together because it's filled with exciting cars.

More From Road & Track

A new only comes along every 11 years or so, which makes it an event of great importance. The newest one is just now arriving and it is spectacular. Editor-at-Large Joe Rusz, who thought he was retired, found himself driving the car, shooting the photos and writing the road test of this fabulous new sports car. And we made him go to Germany to do it, along with Road Test Editor Patrick Hong.

The newest SL500 offers thoroughly modern styling, blended with excellent heritage touches that make many of us recall the 300SL Gullwing and roadster of the 1950s. And the new car provides performance and handling with high limits that few owners will ever probe, but of course Joe and Patrick did in the "" road test.

, created by the irrepressible Sam Mitani, our International Editor, focuses on the freshest versions of three favorite sports cars: Acura NSX, Z06 and .

The and both got facelifts, the Porsche also received a bump in horsepower, and the Corvette Z06 moved up over the 400-bhp threshold. Sam's idea was to take them to a track and have three drivers of varying skill levels drive them for lap times.

We were delighted that Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca — home of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, a CART race, a motorcycle Grand Prix that draws huge crowds, and other exciting events — was willing to let us come and work early in the morning. It became quite an adventure, as you will discover in reading Sam's street/track comparison test.

Associate Editor Jim Hall penned the road test of new , the latest iteration of a car that the staff holds in high esteem. The challenge for Audi with this car was how to make improvements without seriously changing the character of what is a very popular sports sedan. .

And that brings us to the out of the ordinary, Peter Egan's road test of the latest , that delightful little sports car that really puts you in touch with the elements. This is vintage Peter Egan writing at its best as he delves into the nuances of the Super Seven on the racetrack at Buttonwillow in California's central valley. It should come as no surprise to you that Egan used to own an original Seven, so he was the perfect (only?) choice to spend hours driving this version.

As Peter writes, "Vintage aerodynamics aside, the Seven remains with us after all these years, a living symbol that the basic physics of speed and good fun never change." That last phrase could actually be applied to Peter as well.

On the racing side of the ledger, this month's issue also features our annual Formula 1 season wrap-up report from the dean of F1 writers, our very own Rob Walker. As a former team owner and the man who was the head of the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) prior to handing over the reins to Bernie Ecclestone many years ago, Rob's background in the Grand Prix circus is a treasure trove for readers. His refreshing candor and insights make Rob's season wrap-up a true highlight of our ongoing Formula 1 coverage, which Road & Track has been doing since 1947.